Grand Lake, Colorado

After leaving Estes Park, we landed at the Grand Lake Lodge in Grand Lake Colorado . 

This lodge is right next to Rocky Mountain National Park on the west side.

The lodge is straight ahead.

On our way to the steps, we had to stop and see this car and firetruck.

We were warned to watch our step going up the stairs.

It is a beautiful place - we were there once before in 2005 right before it closed. The new owner took over in 2010 and has made many improvements - mostly updating things. 

I couldn't get the entire lodge in  one photo.

I loved sitting on the porch of the lodge overlooking Grand Lake.

It might be my favorite front porch!

In the evening, about sunset, these swings were a hot commodity!

The porch overlooked Grand Lake and the town of Grand Lake.  

The pool was heated - it was tempting to go swimming.

Inside was always warm and cozy. The staff was fantastic.

Always a welcoming fire - the wood fire smelled so good.

We had cabin 62 which is the left side of this building. It was a short walk from the lodge.

Our cabin with a big boulder on the left.

The inside was clean and updated. It was small but beggars can't be choosers! We were delighted to have a dry spot with a bed. The Lodge has larger cabins - they were full.

Our room

I felt adrift. I found that I wasn't alone - many people we talked to felt the same. We often travel in a general direction without a specific plan but this was different probably because we did have a plan and it was abruptly cut short. When we finally put a new plan in place, I found myself relaxing. We were in control of our lives again. 

By noon on Friday, we were both ready to start enjoying our new surroundings. The problem was that Rocky Mountain National Park closed at noon due to mudslides, rock/boulder slides, and flooding. They are only allowing essential/emergency travel because it is the only way into/out of Estes Park. 

The ranger said looking for moose was not considered essential! She told us to head to Monarch Lake in the National Forest. It was south of Granby Lake and a beautiful drive. Next time we are in the area, we'll probably do the 4.5 mile hike around it - the weather looked too iffy on Friday.

Monarch Lake

Monarch Lake

After dinner we were talking to some new friends from Minnesota. They did the hike on Friday - it took 2.5 hours with some rain -and they saw moose!

Now we are in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (our new plan). More on that in a future post. For now, please remember the people of Estes Park and all along the Front Range in your prayers. The situation is not getting better - it is still raining.

Evacuated

We have evacuated. 

Low lying residences along the Fall River were being evacuated late this morning. Ray walked out when the rain let up just before noon and was talking to a neighbor. That's when he realized that we had to cross one or another of the Fall River bridges to get out of our 'neighborhood'. The water was at the bottom of both bridges - lots of fast moving, angry water. 

With the forecast, we decided we needed to leave before the bridges washed out. The choice was a motel or Trail Ridge Road. We chose the later - the only way in or out of Estes Park. We are now somewhat settled in Grand Lake, Colorado - safe, warm, and dry. 

Packing up all of our possessions took just about an hour and  with the drive through very foggy conditions, we are tired! But on the way we did see a bull moose, a mama deer with two fawns, and a very welcome patch of blue sky.

Please keep the people of Estes Park and on the front range in your prayers - this rain, with some severe storms, is supposed to last until Monday and the area is already devastated.  

Short night

The day started with a gorgeous sunrise. We headed up Trail Ridge Road before 5AM! Yes, another EARLY morning but it was worth it!

Sunrise from Rainbow Curve, RMNP

Late this morning we took a walk because we heard elk bugling in our area. We walked all the way to the main road and back a different way. We didn't find the elk but we did learn more about our neighborhood!

Do you remember what our rental house looks like? Mostly we live on the 2nd floor - the bottom level is garage, 2nd bedroom, 2nd bathroom, and laundry room. The left side is on the incline side of the mountain and the right side is on the downhill side.

Our rental house

Late this afternoon, we heard the elk bugling again so Ray went out on the porch. There were elk near the house. The bull came across our drive and Ray snapped this shot - yes the elk was right below him!

New hood ornament - a bull elk! 

After crossing our drive, the bull went up the mountain on the left side of our house to join his ladies. Ray got a few more photos and I really like this one.

Bull elk near our rental house

It's been raining this afternoon and into this evening. We did go out for dinner which is a little unusual for us. Then we came home - it's unlikely that we'll see animals in the Park or a sunset in this weather. It seems like a good night to stay home!

Sunrise, sunset and animals

Wow - guess I didn't post at all last week! We have been very busy! Another post is coming soon. There were some great sunrises and sunsets:

 

And we added beaver to our Eye Spy list. We went to the beaver ponds one evening about dusk and this fellow came out to play! He blends in so well that it is hard to see him.

Beaver at the beaver ponds by Fish Creek Trail

We continue to see lots of wildlife. The elk rut has begun so we see lots of elk and love hearing them bugle.

These two young deer were right by the road one evening in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Eye Spy:

Black Bear - 1 

Moose

Big Horn Sheep

Elk 

Deer 

Marmots 
Fox
Beaver

Many small creatures!

A Holiday Weekend

It was a great weekend - fun and lazy!

Ray went on a mountain trail ride. He was fortunate to see a large bull moose - the first either of us has seen on this trip. Ray couldn't get a photo so we'll just believe him! After questioning the wrangler, she strongly suggested I not ride because of my spine fusion. Ray said it was a rough ride and he said I definitely made the right choice. It was cloudy so he didn't come back with many photos.

We went to the John Denver Tribute Concert. What a great time! The opening band was Chain Station. 

Chain Station

They were good - it was the first time we've heard them although their start was in Illinois! Brad Fitch and the TropiCowboy Band did the John Denver Tribute. 

Brad Fitch and the TropiCowboy Band

Of course sitting with a backdrop of the mountains made the concert better than great!

from grandstand in Estes Park

And we had a beautiful rainbow - you probably can't see the double. Then we had rain - yes in that order!

from grandstand in Estes Park

One day we walked downtown to the Arts and Crafts fair. Lots of really neat things. 

We had lunch at Picnic in the Park - our favorite pizza place in town. We really need to try something else on their menu!

The Alpaca Market was at the fairgrounds. This was a first for us. The alpacas were so cute, so friendly, and so soft! 

at Alpaca Market

at Alpaca Market

The owners were friendly too! I loved loved loved the yarn - most of it was 100% alpaca. So soft! Can you believe I bought some?! Enough for a vest and a scarf and a hat. Oh, I could have bought so much more!

Sunday morning we were up early, very early - way before sunrise. We were at Sprague Lake while it was still dark. We hiked in and Ray set up the tripod and camera using flashlights. Then we waited for the sun to rise. Gorgeous! We spent some time with a couple from Estes Park, a man from India via Texas, and a man from England. All of us were there to see and photograph the sunrise.

Sprague Lake Sunrise, RMNP

Sprague Lake Sunrise, RMNP

Sprague Lake early morning, RMNP

Bear Lake early morning, RMNP

There was lots of time for relaxing. Well, kind of! I decided Saturday night to wind one of the skeins of alpaca yarn. I laid it out carefully and began. I don't remember what happened - my mind is probably blanking it out - but all of a sudden the yarn was a mess.

600 yards of tangled alpaca yarn

After many hours, the yarn was finally rolled - no knots, no tangles, - whew! I am buying the gadget to roll yarn the next time I see one!

600 yard ball of alpaca yarn

We enjoyed the sunset Rocky Mountain National Park near Beaver Meadows.

Sunset near Beaver Meadows, RMNP

Eye Spy:

Black Bear - 1 

Moose

Big Horn Sheep

Elk 

Deer 

Marmots 
Fox

Many small creatures!

More photos

From the past 3 weeks:

Sprague Lake, RMNP

Chipmunk getting a drink, RMNP

Sheep Lakes sunset, RMNP

Double rainbow from our deck

Sprague Lake, RMNP

Young elk near Cub Lake trailhead, RMNP

Hummingbird at Glen Haven General Store

Ya can't roller skate in a buffalo herd

Yesterday began with a beautiful sunrise.

Sunrise from our deck

We decided to go on a little longer hike. So we left for Cub Lake, a hike we take almost every time we are in the area. It is almost 5 miles round trip. We got to the trailhead early enough to get a parking place - Yay! Shortly after we started, a local man about our age caught up with us and hiked with us for about 1/2 hour. About that time we started hiking adjacent to where the December, 2012 fire took place. Oh my! The pine beetle infestation is a major problem here - so many dead trees. Add to that a forest fire due to a careless camper - so very sad! Notice the south side of the lake (left side of picture) - every tree is burned from the fire or dead from the pine beetle.

Cub Lake

The scenery was very different for us but we still enjoyed being on this hike. This duck was super friendly as I sat on a rock. 

Friendly Duck

New growth is evident in most areas. Such pretty wildflowers against the charred logs.

New growth in burned areas

On our way back down the trail, we heard about and were watching for a herd of elk near the trailhead. About 1/2 - 1/4 mile from the trailhead, we spotted them. Ray set up his tripod near a boulder field. We were on one side of the rocks and the elk were off in the distance on the other side. Ray was taking photos and the elk were calmly moving and grazing, when all of a sudden, we were surrounded! The closest elk were 12-15 feet away! My biggest fear was that one of the babies would get on one side of us and its mom on the other. There were two boulders near us that we would fit between where I don't think the elk could get us. It would have meant leaving packs and camera equipment but at least we I had a plan if needed! Ray was busy taking pictures!

Cow elk showing a little interest in us.

Young bull elk

Eventually the herd just passed us by. Well, mostly. The Big Guy eventually followed - glad we waited for him to pass too!

Big Guy - definitely the King of this harem

As we continued down the trail we encountered another bull, almost as large as Big Guy. This one was too close to the trail for us to pass by. After waiting a while, we chose to get off of the trail and climb up some rocks to get around him.

Bull Elk - in need of a harem

Our day ended with a little rain, more sunshine, and this beautiful double rainbow.

Double rainbow from our deck

"Ya can't roller skate in a buffalo herd" but you can get surrounded by a elk herd!